, 1887-03-20
A Soldier, Who Claimed to Have
Murdered a Man,
Arrested and Held by Marshal
Schnitger.
The West Virginia Authorities Fail
ing, He is Released.

"
for a week or more by City Marshal
Schnitger, while the latter was inyestigat-
ing the charges against the soldier which
he for the most part made himself.
The fact of the holding of this soldier in
custody on the charge of murder has been
known to THE LEADER for more than a
week, but no mention of the matter has
heretofore been made for various reasons.
About the 7th of March Policeman Van
Thomasson found and arrested a soldier
who was not only very drunk, but who
was also disposed to go. on the warpath.
1t being late at night when the arrest was
made, he was taken to the calaboose,
where he was locked up for the night.
He stated that his name was Kid, but
it subsequently proved to be John r.
Kelley, and he belonged to one of the
companies of the 18th infantry. On
searching him. it was found that he had
been granted a furlough, which was found
upon him. Thomasson thereupon con-
cluded that he would hold him until he
got well sobered up and then release him
without making any charge against him in
the police court.
Tho next morning the soldier, who had
not her become entirely sober, asked
Thomasson if he was going to urn him
loose. The officer made some sort of an
evasive answer, whereupon Kelley spoke
up and said, well, | might just as well
tell you first as last. l murdered a man
named Owens in Clarksburg, w. Va,
about two years ago, and | am on my way
back there now"
Thomasson, as may be supposed, was
considerably astonished and proceeded to
question him far enough to find that
Kelley was not talking to hear himself
talk but that he meant every word he
said. He was locked up again and City
Marshal Schnitger was consulted. Sub.
sequently the two officers had another in
terview with Kelley, who stated hat he
had murdered a man named John Owens
and stated the manner in which it was
done.
He had crept up to the residence of
Owens when he was off his guard and had
shot him dead through a window, explain
ing also that he and the murdered man
had quarrelled and that there had for
some time been a very bitter feeling
between them. AS SCOT as Mr.. Schnitger
had learned this from the man Kelley, he
at once telegraphed to Clarksburg, W..
Va, stating what Kelley had stated, and
describing the man. The following an
swer came back very soon;
Eyes: he is wanted here for the muir
der of a man named Owens. The descrlp-
ton is a correct one of the murderer, but
his name; when here, was Clark. Hold
him, for We want him and will send at
once.
This dispatch was from those in author.
ity at Clarksburg, whereupcn Marshal
Schnitger had the prisoner transferred
from the calaboose to the county Jail, but
before the transfer was made Kelley began
to weaken somewhat and claimed that his
story previously told was not correct.
In the meantime Marshal Schnitger
wrote to the authorities at C%larksburg,
giving a further description of the soldier,
and explaining more fully what his state
ments had been. In answer to his letter
the following reply was received:
CLARKsBURG, W. Va, March IL
To Mr.. ". Il. Schn1ger: My DEAR.
SIR:-The letter written by you addressed
to the city marshal Of Clarksburg, w.
Va, was placed in my hands as attorney
for the state for this county.
Your description of Owens is accurate,
and if the mar arrested BY you %confesses
surely John L. Kelley. | have prepared
proper papers Tor bringing him here. and
will send for him as soon as | can hear
from our governor. Hold Kelley until
then. Does he say his name is Kelley or
Clark? If he coniesses the murder docs he
not also confess his proper name? If he
will consent to come of his own accord
bring him along and telegraph me at once.
Kelley killed Owens in November, 1885.
Hoping the matter will terminate salts
factorily, | remain, yours, etc,
c. w. LYNCH,
Attorney for State.
Telegraph me further word.
As will be seen by the date of the above
letter, this was some days ago. Nopapers
Of any kind have been received from
Clarksburg, and after waiting until We'd
nesday of the past week Mr.. Schnitger
again telegraphed the Clarksburg author
tiles After holding Kelley a sufficient
length of time, and not only no papers
having been received, but ever no answer
to the last telegram, Mr.. Schnitger con-
cluded that hewould have no further con-
ference with the West Virginia authori.
ties, and consequently released Kelley
from custody.
The Steam Laundry does lace curtains
all of styles and sizes as cheaply and as
well as Eastern laundries.